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Abstract:

A compact, recyclable dental flossing device in the form of a
multi-layered elongated filament or strip of a resin which has physical
characteristics such that, when elongated or drawn to stop, possesses a
substantially increased length and tensile strength and a reduced
thickness suitable for flossing teeth.

Claims:

1. A dental floss comprising a multi-layered elongated strip of polymer
material, the dental floss being arranged to be stretched to a permanent
deformation by a user prior to use in order to reduce a cross-sectional
area of the floss to a size suitable for flossing teeth.

2. The dental floss of claim 1, wherein the strip comprises a plurality
of polymer resin layers, at least a first layer of the plurality of
polymer resin layers incorporating a first-layer additive material that
is not incorporated into a second layer of the plurality of polymer resin
layers.

4. The dental floss of claim 2, wherein the first layer comprises a
non-polymer additive incorporated into the first layer during an
extrusion process.

5. The dental floss of claim 2, wherein the plurality of polymer resin
layers further comprises a third layer, the third layer including a
third-layer additive material that is not incorporated into the second
layer.

6. The dental floss of claim 5, wherein the first-layer additive material
and the third-layer additive material are the same material.

7. The dental floss of claim 5, wherein the first-layer additive material
and the-third layer additive material are different materials.

11. The dental floss of claim 5, wherein the elongated strip further
comprises: a length of no less than 1 inch and no greater than 3 inches,
a width of no less than 1/8 inch and no more than 1/2 inch, and a
thickness of no less than 0.003 inches and no more than 0.01 inches.

12. A dental floss device comprising an elongated member of stretchable
elastomeric polymer material, the member comprising a plurality of
extruded layers, at least a first layer of the plurality of extruded
layers including a first material incorporated therein that is not
incorporated into a second layer of the plurality of extruded layers, the
member being irreversibly stretchable between a first relaxed condition
and a second maximum extended condition, the member having a pair of
opposite surface faces adapted to engage teeth of a user, one of the pair
of opposite surface faces being formed by the first layer.

13. The dental floss device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of
extruded layers comprises a third layer, the third layer including a
second material incorporated therein that is not incorporated into the
second layer, and a second of the pair of opposing surface faces being
formed by the third layer.

14. The dental floss of claim 13, wherein the first and third layers are
disposed on opposing sides of the second layer.

15. The dental floss of claim 13, wherein the first material and the
second material are the same material.

16. The dental floss of claim 12, wherein the first material comprises a
flavor.

17. The dental floss of claim 13, wherein the member can be irreversibly
stretched by a tension force of no greater than 15 pounds to achieve the
second maximum extended condition, and a thickness of the member in the
second maximum extended condition is reduced to less than 1/3 of a
thickness of the member in the first relaxed condition, and the length of
the member in the second maximum extended condition is at least five
times the length of the member in the first relaxed condition.

18. A dental floss package comprising a sheet of multi-layer stretchable
elongated polymer strips joined to a common zone and extending from the
zone in a parallel relationship, the elongated polymer strips dental
floss being arranged to be removed from the common zone and stretched to
a permanent deformation by a user prior to use in order to reduce a
cross-sectional area of the floss to a size suitable for flossing teeth.

19. The dental floss package of claim 18, further comprising at least one
sheet of solid bleached sulfite board scored and folded to form a
rectangular main body with a flap at one end and a clamp at an opposing
other end, and a plurality of multi-layer stretchable elongated polymer
strip sheets sandwiched between the flap and the main body.

20. The dental floss package of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of
the common zone of each sheet is sandwiched between the clamp and the
main body, there securing the plurality of sheets together.

Description:

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a US National Phase Counterpart of Patent
Cooperation Treaty Application Number PCT/US2012/034392 to William Ewing,
entitled "Compact, Recyclable, Multi-Layered Dental Flossing Device and
Packaging Therefore," filed Apr. 20, 2012, which in turns claims priority
to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/517,444 to William D.
Ewing, entitled "Extendable dental floss and packaging therefore," filed
Apr. 20, 2011. Priority is claimed to both of these disclosures, and they
are both incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention generally relates to oral hygiene aids. More
specifically, the invention relates to an extensible elastomeric floss
and disposable floss dispenser units, plus various related devices and
methods for manufacturing, packaging, dispensing and/or holding the ends
of the floss when the floss is in use. The floss is an extensible,
flexible cleaning and polishing dental floss/tape that can used to remove
plaque and discolorations between teeth, which is easy to use and is
gentle to soft tissues including gingival tissue, is inexpensive to
manufacture and is disposable and/or recyclable.

BACKGROUND AND DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Because a toothbrush is only able to remove plaque on substantially
facial and oral surfaces of the teeth, various preventive aids currently
exist for interdental cleaning, including small "interdental
bottlebrushes," dental sticks or toothpicks and dental floss/tape. Dental
floss/tape is preferably used in small/narrow interdental spaces with
large gingival pockets where brushes, and often even dental sticks, are
difficult to use due to lack of space.

[0004] The use of dental floss on a frequent basis is desirable for a wide
variety of reasons. For a person's general health and well-being, it is a
means of cleaning between the teeth and under gum margins so that
bacterial or dental plaque is removed--this plaque is considered the
leading cause of periodontal disease and tooth loss in adults. Flossing
is also well suited for removing food particles after eating as trapped
food particles can be unsightly, are often annoying, may interfere with
proper speech, and can cause bad breath if left over a period of time.

[0005] There are few more exasperating situations that that of needing to
clean one's teeth in public and/or when away from home. Although
toothpicks are sometimes available at restaurants, they are often not
adequate to remove food that has become embedded between the teeth,
especially in tight interdental spaces. Moreover, packages of toothpicks
and/or conventional packets of thread-like dental floss are often bulky
to carry, and it can be a nuisance to carry such packages for only
occasional use. Most such packages do little to indicate the amount of
floss remaining therein, so it is common to run out of floss at
inconvenient times. In addition, the common dental floss package is quite
expensive, especially when compared to the cost of the floss it
contains--as a matter of fact, the container generally costs many times
more than the floss itself.

[0006] The use of typical floss is also fraught with difficulty, as the
thread or string-like floss is difficult to hold in tension, thus
requiring that the user wind the floss around his or her fingers or use
an auxiliary accessory tool such as an H or F-shaped floss holder.
Moreover, this practice results in only a small of each extracted floss
length actually being used for the flossing operation, with the remainder
of the floss wasted.

[0007] In addition to their excessive bulk and cost, typical floss
containers also have their shortcomings. For instance, the floss held in
such containers is typically wound on a ribbon or bobbin, which can
become tangled, jammed or refuse to dispense material. The terminal end
of the floss is generally held by a retaining device which can often
double as a cutting tool (i.e., a metal cut-off tabs), which can be
difficult to use and/or are prone to failure. Moreover, such containers
are extremely wasteful, as the amount of material used to form the
container can be 20 times or more than the amount of material used in the
floss it contains.

[0008] There is a need in the art, therefore, for an interdental cleaning
aid that can be inexpensively manufactured and packaged, is stored in a
convenient and easily-concealable container, is easy to use and disposed
of with little wastage.

[0009] Various embodiments disclosed herein provide novel devices and
methods for manufacturing a unique multi-layer dental floss and floss
deployment system, and containers therefore, that can be inexpensively
manufactured and packaged, can be stored in a convenient and
easily-concealable container, and that is easy to use and disposed of
with little wastage. Moreover, the unique method of deploying the floss
from its stored state by stretching the floss between a user's hands
desirably provides a fun and exciting incentive for children and adults
to use the floss on a frequent basis.

[0010] The present invention further includes various storage, containing
and dispensing arrangement for dental floss that is packaged in a
convenient dental floss system including a plurality of elongated
multi-layered floss filaments, sheets or strips. Each strip is capable of
being "drawn to stop" or elongated a substantially increased length by a
user, with the floss having a high tensile strength when the expansion or
"stop" is achieved.

[0011] In various embodiments, the multi-layered filaments, sheets or
strips described herein can comprise a monomer or polymer material. In
one exemplary embodiment, the strip comprises a polymer that is a linear,
low density polyethylene or a polypropylene, with each multi-layered
floss filament having dimensions on the order of 11/2'' to 2 inches in
length, 3/16'' in width and 0.006'' in thickness. When the opposing ends
of the floss filament are grasped for drawing and orientation of the
material's polymer chains has been accomplished, the end portions of the
multi-layered filament remain relatively unchanged.

[0012] In addition, various embodiments describe simple, inexpensive and
recyclable/disposable packages and packaging for dental floss strips. For
example, a floss arrangement formed from a sheet of multi-layered monomer
or polymer may be provided with appropriate spaced, parallel cuts,
desirably resulting in the formation of a plurality of multi-layered
floss filament strips that terminate in a partially cut or frangible
zone. The product may be sheeted and packed individually or in small
stacks. If partially cut through across the filament or left uncut in
narrow strip form, the multi-layer tape may be formed on a roll. If
desired, strips may also be pre cut and inserted in an envelope or other
simple packaging. If using sheets, these sheets may be stacked similarly
to the strips, may be multi-layered orientation or may be perforated for
ease of use and disassembly.

[0013] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a
multi-layered dental floss that can incorporate a wide variety of
additive materials without significantly affecting the ability of the
floss to elongate or be "drawn to stop" by a user.

[0014] Another objective of the invention is to provide a multi-layered
dental floss that is easily carried on a person and that occupies little
space.

[0015] Another objective of the invention is the provision of a
multi-layered dental floss that can be packaged, stored, shipped and/or
dispensed in a reduced size, but which can be elongated or "drawn to
stop" to substantially greater length by the user for flossing or other
use.

[0016] A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a
unique form of dental floss which can be readily incorporated into a
compact package.

[0017] A still further objective of the present invention is the provision
of a multi-layered dental floss which is simple and rugged in
construction, which can be readily manufactured from readily available
material, and which has a long shelf life.

[0018] It is a further objective of the invention to provide a package of
multi-layered dental floss having an appearance that is inconspicuous.

[0019] Another objective of the invention is the provision of a simple
package for storing a novel form of dental floss.

[0020] Another object of the invention is the provision of a form of
dental floss which can be used in public without it being noticeable and
without embarrassment.

[0021] Another objective of the invention is to provide a multi-layered
dental flossing device and associated packaging that are resource
efficient to manufacture and are recyclable in existing recycling
streams.

[0022] With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those
skilled in the art, the invention reside in the combination of parts set
forth in the specifications and covered by the claims appended hereto.

[0023] It is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments
described herein are not mutually exclusive and may exist in various
combinations and permutations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages
of embodiments will become more apparent and may be better understood by
referring to the following description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of one embodiment of a multi-layered
dental floss filament or strip in an undrawn condition;

[0026]FIG. 1A depicts a cross-sectional view of the floss strip of FIG.
1;

[0027]FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a floss filament or strip in
the process of being expanded or stretched;

[0028]FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a floss strip after being stretched,
expanded or "drawn" to a desired condition prior to use;

[0029]FIG. 4a depicts a cross-sectional view of the multi-layered floss
strip of FIG. 3, taken along line 4a-4a;

[0030]FIG. 4b depicts a cross-sectional view of the multi-layered floss
strip of FIG. 3, taken along line 4b-4b;

[0031]FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a storage
container or package for dental floss filaments incorporating various
principles of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of the package of FIG. 5,
taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

[0033] FIG. 7 depicts a front plan view of the package of FIG. 5, with the
package in an open condition before folding and/or sealing;

[0034] FIG. 8 depicts a front plan view of one alternative embodiment of a
container for floss strips; and

[0035] FIG. 9 depicts a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
a container for multi-layer floss strips constructed in accordance with
various teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] There are few more exasperating situations than that of needing to
floss one's teeth when away from home. Such need can occur in almost any
situation, particularly when one is dining out, when travelling, or
conducting outdoor activities (i.e. camping, hiking, etc). Although tooth
picks are sometimes available on such occasions at restaurants, such
devices are often inadequate to remove food that has become embedded or
entrained between a diner's teeth, especially when the teeth are closely
spaced. Thread-like dental floss or tape is generally more usable in
removing food trapped between teeth, but a conventional packet of
thread-like dental floss is often too bulky to conveniently carry, and it
is a nuisance to carry such a package for only occasional use.

[0037] Aside from their bulk, common dental floss packages are quite
expensive to manufacture, and the container usually costs more than the
floss that it contains. In fact, the amount of plastic and/or other
materials used to manufacture the container typically far outweigh the
amount of flossing material contained therein, and because such
containers are generally non-refillable, the container is discarded when
the floss is expended, which is an extremely wasteful process. Moreover,
the metal cut-off tabs included with some molded floss packages are
difficult to use and are prone to failure. When such failure occurs, the
floss container is typically discarded, with all the unused floss still
remaining therein.

[0038] Another disadvantage of conventional flossing material is due to
the small diameter and/or dimensions of the flossing material used by the
average individual. In order to fit between closely spaced teeth, floss
is typically sized smaller than a user's interdental spaces between the
teeth. However, this small size makes it difficult for a user to hold the
floss in tension using his or her fingers, as the floss is often waxed or
coated, and there is little surface area between the floss and the user's
fingers to hold the floss frictionally. In many cases, the amount of
tension required to insert and withdraw a floss thread between a user's
teeth will force the user to wind the floss around his or her fingers
multiple times before a sufficient tension force can be generated to
allow use of the floss, which can result in only a small portion of the
floss being used for actual flossing (i.e., 10%), with the remaining
portion of the floss (i.e., 90%) remaining unused, but discarded after
flossing is complete. Even where a mechanical flossing device such as a
floss holder is used, it is typical that more than 2/3 of a given length
of floss is unused in the flossing process, but is rather simply required
to anchor the floss and generate sufficient floss tension, and is then
discarded. This results in only a small portion of a length being used
for flossing. Moreover, the act of winding the floss around a user's
fingers and then flossing is uncomfortable, it can affect blood
circulation in the fingers, and it can even be quite painful for certain
individuals.

[0039] In other words, the use of conventional flossing systems is not
only wasteful of material, it is also an inconvenient oft-ignored process
that can often be socially unacceptable as well. With such a host of
disadvantages, it is not surprising that few individuals floss their
teeth on a daily basis, even though it is well known that flossing is
beneficial to healthy teeth and gums, and can alleviate the occurrence of
bad breath and other health issues.

[0040] Various embodiments disclosed herein attempt to eliminate and/or
alleviate many of these disadvantages with conventional floss and
flossing systems. Moreover, various embodiments described herein
facilitate the storage and dispensing of floss using containers that are
significantly less wasteful and can incorporate natural or
biologically-derived renewable materials, as well as be disposed of with
significantly less impact on the surrounding environment as compared to
conventional floss systems.

[0041] Various embodiments of flossing material described herein include
the dispensing and use of a selectively expandable polymeric flossing
material, dubbed "Stretch<->Floss." The material, which can be
dispensed in small, pre-formed strips, is grasped by the user (typically
between the thumb and index fingers of each hand) and then a light
application of tensile force can stretch the floss strip many times its
original length, also in various embodiments effectively thinning the
material a predetermined amount. Once the strip has reached a
predetermined amount of expansion (which can be 5 or more to 10 or more
times its original length, depending upon the material and manufacturing
dimensions), the strip will significantly resist further expansion,
effectively preventing the user from over stretching or breaking the
expanded strip. The strip can then be used a manner similar to a length
of conventional flossing material, with the added advantage that the
strip will typically retain tabs or sections of unstretched material at
each end (where the strip was grasped by the user during expansion) which
can be used to grasp and/or manipulate the floss tape without requiring
winding of the strip around the user's fingers.

[0042] In various embodiments, the flossing material can be provided in
pre-cut lengths and/or widths (such as, for example, in an individual
single-use package or multi-strip package), or it can be provided in roll
or sheet form. Roll or sheet form can allow a user to define the strip
dimension (i.e., cutting strips from a sheet with scissors or pulling a
desired length of a strip from a roll), which in turn allows the user to
define the ultimate size and configuration of the expanded floss.

[0043] FIG. 1 depicts a side plan view of the configuration of one
embodiment of an individual multi-layered floss strip 18. In this
embodiment, the multi-layered strip can be 2'' long, 3/16'' wide and
approximately 0.006'' thick. Various embodiments are preferably formed
from a multi-layered sheet of a monomer or polymer, which desirably
possesses the physical characteristics of easy elongation, yet is highly
resistant to fracture or breakage at or near the material's ultimate
elongation. In one embodiment, the material is a linear low density
polyethylene, which possess various desirable physical characteristics
that are, at least in part, due to the material having essentially linear
PE chains.

[0044]FIG. 2 demonstrates an exemplary method of expanding or "drawing"
one embodiment of a flossing strip 18 in a typical manner. Each end of
the strip 18 can be grasped between a thumb 25 and forefinger 26 of a
users hands, with a central portion of the strip there between. The hands
are then pulled apart, with the strip 18 stretched and pulled using a
relative low stretching force, on the order of between 5 and 15 pounds of
total force (which may be constant or variable, depending upon the user's
strength and/or preference). During the pulling action, the strip 18
elongates many times its initial length, and the width and/or thickness
of the strip tend to reduce to some extent. During the pulling action,
the material slowly begins to resist the stretching force, and when the
material reaches a sufficient degree of elongation, the material
resistance to further stretching increases dramatically as the material
reaches its tensile strength (i.e., "pull to stop"). When this resistance
to further stretching occurs, the material has reached a point where a
significantly greater amount of force would be required to further
stretch or fracture the material, which the user is unlikely or unwilling
to exceed. Depending upon the material and dimensions used, a strong man
might have difficulty breaking the expanded strip by pulling on it.

[0045]FIG. 3 depicts the final condition of the multi-layered flossing
device after the "draw to stop" has been accomplished. Depending upon the
position of the user's fingers on the strip, the device will have an
elongated intermediate or central portion 18a that has become relatively
thin (compared to its pre-stretched dimensions), but is very strong. On
each end of the central portion, the ends of the strip will have changed
little in their dimensions, and they will now form end portions or tabs
28 and 29 that are integral with and connected to the elongated central
portion. In various embodiments, and depending upon the strength of the
user's grip on the strip, the tabs 28 and 29 may approximate the same
size and shape of the areas of the strip that were pinched between the
respective thumb 25 and forefinger 26 of each of the user's hands. The
intermediate portion, on the other hand, has become much smaller in
cross-section, as well as very strong, and it can be used to floss the
gaps between the user's teeth very effectively. If desired, the user can
use the broad tab portions 28 and 29 to firmly and effectively grasp and
tension the floss device during the teeth cleaning operation.

[0046] One significant advantage of the various embodiments described
herein is that, if at any point the user deems the central portion 18a to
be too short (i.e., the central portion is not long enough to accomplish
a desired cleaning operation for some reason), the user can choose to
grasp the device with some portion of one or more tabs exposed between
the hands, and pull on the device a second time. During this second
pulling operation, the exposed (and relatively non-stretched) section(s)
of the tab(s) will elongate, while the pre-existing central portion will
resist any further elongation. When sufficiently stretched to a dimension
proximate that of the pre-existing central portion, the newly expanded
exposed portion of the tab(s) section can then function as additional
floss, with any remaining non-stretched portion(s) of the tabs employed
as discus previously to manipulate the newly elongated device. This
action may be repeated multiple times, as desired by the user.

[0047] FIGS. 4a and 4b depict exemplary cross-sectional schematic views of
embodiments of a multilayer floss of FIG. 3, taken along lines 4a-4a and
4b-4b, respectively. As best seen in FIG. 4a, the multilayer floss
comprises three component layers, a central layer and upper and lower
peripheral layers (with each of the upper and lower layers cross-hatched
in the figures). In this embodiment, the central layer is significantly
thicker (D) than either or both of the peripheral layers (E and/or F),
although in various other embodiments the central layer may be thicker,
thinner and/or equal to one or both of the thicknesses of the peripheral
layers. In addition, while this embodiment is shown having a total floss
thickness (D) significantly greater than the width (W) of the floss, it
should be understood that various other embodiments of multilayer floss
contemplated herein can include widths (W) significantly greater, equal
to or lesser than corresponding total floss thickness (C). In a similar
manner, other embodiments of multilayer floss can include widths (W)
significantly greater, equal to or lesser than the central layer
thickness (D), the upper peripheral layer thickness (E) and/or the lower
peripheral layer thickness (F), or any combinations thereof. In addition,
while the present embodiments are shown including three layers, various
embodiments described herein can include floss having any plurality of
layers, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 layer construction, which
can include an equal or dissimilar number of layers on either side of a
central layer, as well as a multiplicity of central layers that may have
intermediate layers sandwiched there between.

[0048] FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 depict one exemplary embodiment of a storage and
dispensing container or package, and associated multilayer floss,
constructed and arranged in accordance with various teachings of the
present disclosure. The package, indicated by the reference numeral 10,
is constructed generally in the shape of a self-folding closure or
"matchbook" shape, inside of which is secured a dental floss arrangement
11 comprising a multi-layer dental floss. In this embodiment, a single
sheet 12 of solid bleached sulfite board, cardboard or other appropriate
material known in the art is scored and folded to form a main body 13
with a flap 14 at one end and a securing fold or clamp 15 at the other
end.

[0049] The illustrated dental floss arrangement 11 can be formed from one
or more sheets or strips 16 of an appropriate flossing material, which in
various embodiments can comprise a co-extruded linear low density
polyethylene (LLDPE), with the sheet desirably sized and configured to
approximate the size and shape of the main body 13. To facilitate
separation of an individual piece of floss 18 from the arrangement 11,
the sheet 16 is provided with a series of spaced, parallel cuts 17, which
desirably results in the formation of a plurality of floss filaments or
strips 18 that terminate in an uncut or partially-cut common zone 19. As
shown in FIG. 6, the common zone 19 is located at the base of the fold
between the clamp 15 and the body 13, and is secured there between in a
known manner. Of course, other arrangement and positioning for the
arrangement 11 relative to the body is contemplated, including securement
at the top and/or sides of the body 13, as well as securement at multiple
points to the body 13 (i.e., secured at both ends of the strip to common
zones, with the common zones secured to opposing sides and/or top/bottom
of the body 13, etc). In at least one exemplary embodiment, the
individual strips in a single sheet may include a small uncut or
partially-cut zone between each adjacent strip at the ends of the strips
opposite the common zone, which desirably further secures the individual
strips together and prevents individual strip ends from inadvertently
extending outside of the container 10.

[0050] FIG. 6 also depicts an exemplary arrangement in which several
arrangements 11 may be sandwiched together between the flap 14 and the
main body 13. Because each sheet 16 in this embodiment is extremely thin,
a large number of such sheets can be incorporated into a single package
10, with a lower edge of each sheet secured between the clamp 15 and the
body 13, as previously described. In various embodiments, the package can
include a single sheet 16 or may include multiple sheets, as desired by
the manufacturer.

[0051] As best seen in FIG. 5, one preferred embodiment of the invention
can be created by positioning a floss arrangement 11 adjacent a main body
section 13 of the sheet 12. The flap 14 is then bent 180 degrees over the
main body section 13 and into intimate contact with the arrangement 11.
The clamp section 15 is then bent 180 degrees, which places the inner
surface of the clamp in intimate contact with the arrangement 11 as well
as over a distal tip of the flap 14. A hot die or other heating or
clamping device (not shown) can then be used to apply heat and "heat
seal" the clamp 15 to the body 13, which desirably incidentally melts a
portion of the common zone 13 there between, which can secure the clamp,
main body and common zone 13 together in a known manner. In alternative
embodiments, an adhesive, other bonding material or a high pressure
impact/pressing die may be used to secure the clamp, main body and common
zone.

[0052] Once the clamp, main body and common zone have been bonded, the
package 10 is ready for storage, shipping, sale and/or use. If desired, a
large number of packages may be manufactured in bulk or continuous form
in a single operation (i.e., from a large piece of sheet stock and an
elongated floss sheet), with the bulk form die cut, severed or otherwise
separated into individual packages after the folding and bonding
operations have created a single elongated package (as previously
described).

[0053] In at least one alternative embodiment, the floss and associated
container 10 are created by laying the cover 12 face down, folding the
clamp 15 up at a 90 degree angle, laying multiple multi-layered floss
sheets 16 on the body 13 with their common zones 19 in contact with the
clamp 15, folding over the flap 14 to 180 degrees holding the floss
arrangement 11 between the inside surfaces of the flap 14 and the body
13, folding the clamp 15 over from 90 to 180 degrees and overlapping the
bottom edge of the flap 14. At this point, the bottom edge 20 can be heat
sealed (at 190 degrees C. with 45 lbs. of pressure for 1.5 seconds),
thereby bonding the bottom edge of the clamp 15 to the common zones of
the floss arrangement 11 to the bottom of the body 13, thereby creating
the container 10.

[0054] Various advantages are apparent and should be readily understood in
view of the above description. The package 10 created as described herein
can be relatively small and lightweight, as compared to standard floss
containers. In various embodiments, a container 10 that is approximately
21/8'' wide, 21/8'' long and less than 1/8'' thick (or approximately the
size of a matchbook) can easily contain 4 floss sheets with 48 floss
strips. It is evident that the package 10 can be easily carried on one's
person, particularly since it is very compact. Since the package has the
general appearance of a book of matches (and can be printed with a
variety of information, including advertising materials or patterns,
images, etc.), there is no embarrassment if the container is exposed if
one's pocket or purse is emptied, etc.

[0055] The particular construction of various embodiments described herein
can help prevent or reduce the opportunity for dirt or lint to enter the
enclosure in which the floss strips lie. At the same time, user access is
quickly, conveniently and readily available to the floss groups 11 for
removing a single multi-layered floss strip by simply lifting the flap 14
from the clamp 15 (in a known manner) and tearing out a single floss
filament, sheet or strip 18 from the arrangement 11. This is accomplished
in a manner similar to the way that one removes a single match from a
match book. With an individual floss strip 18 free of the package 10, the
end portions 28 and 29 (see FIG. 3) are pinched between the thumb and
forefinger of the user and the strip is elongated, as previously
described herein. A steady pull, on the order of between 5 to 15 pounds,
will draw and elongate the strip until the strip reaches a desired
configuration and/or the "stop condition," such as the configuration
shown in FIG. 3. Desirably, the end portions 28 and 29 are not
significantly reduced in area or thickness, but some or all of the
intermediate portion 18a has become very thin and strong, which condition
is ideal for effective flossing of the user's teeth. The thin
cross-sectional dimension desirably facilitates the easy entry of the
floss strip into and out of the gap between two of the user's teeth. The
floss may be moved in a known manner downward and upward (and possibly in
a longitudinal motion, or various combinations thereof) through the gap,
and the reciprocating action and other efforts desirably serve to eject
or remove any material that is lodged in the tooth gap. Because it often
requires considerable force to move and/or saw the floss back and forth
(especially where the interdental tooth gap is extremely tight), the high
tensile strength of the multi-layered material of the present invention
assists and permits such forceful actions.

[0056] The various embodiments disclosed herein, and the storage and
dispensing container described herewith, provide effective dental
flossing devices and arrangement that are far superior to the
conventional floss in a variety of ways. One significant advantage is
that the systems described herein are very convenient, as a large number
of flossing strips can be carried on a person without unseemly bulk.
During use, the small cross-sectional size of the floss, in combinations
with its significant strength, assures access to the smallest tooth gap
and the most severe packing of food in the tooth gap. The provision of
the end portions 28 and 29 at the ends of the floss, which remain at or
near their original "pre-stretched" sizes assures an adequate gripping
surface for the user's tension and application of forces necessary during
good cleaning of one or more the teeth.

[0057] In one embodiment, a preferred material for the floss strip 18 can
be a linear low density polyethylene, which can be obtained commercially
as TVL-44OW, a polymer is that produced by TUREX, INC. of Harrisville,
R.I.. The material may comprise a special film produced in both a single
and a three layer construction from a blend giving high opacity, low
modulus and a medium gloss surface. Such a film has been approved by the
United States Food and Drug Administration for use in applications where
food contact is expected in accordance with 21 CFR 177.1520(c) 3.2.

[0058] As used and described in various embodiments herein, the material
properties for TVL-44OW can include a normal density of approximately
0.914 g/cc and a coefficient of friction of 0.05. The material desirably
possesses a tensile strength of approximately 4370 psi (MD) and 4090
(TD). The material has a secant modulus (1%) of 20,700 psi (MD) and
24,500 psi (TD). It may have a luminous transparency of less than 20%, a
gloss of 40, and an elongation (5) of 720 (MD) and 760 (TD).

[0059] A particularly useful feature of various embodiments in the present
invention is that multilayer floss construction facilitates the addition
and/or incorporation of additives or other materials and/or chemicals
into the floss strips without significantly affecting the performance,
usefulness and/or reliability of the various embodiments described
herein. This is especially true in the case of additives or other
materials that could significantly degrade, modify or prevent the strip
material from enabling the "stretch to stop" feature of the floss strips
as disclosed and described herein. By maintaining the material properties
of the one or more central layers, and incorporating additives into the
one or more peripheral layers, the material qualities of the one or more
central layers can control and facilitate the "stretch to stop" feature,
pursuant to a reasonable application of force.

[0060] A wide variety of additives may be compounded or mixed into the
peripheral layers. Some will be compounded into the resin prior to
extrusion while others may be top-, bottom- or side-fed into one or more
of the layers in the extrusion process (which could also include being
applied to the layer after the extrusion process but prior to contact
with adjacent layers). Additives might include color, flavors and/or
flavorings, fillers, whiteners and/or other materials, as well as
antibiotics, such as tetracycline, to help fight gum disease. The three
layer construction described in various embodiments herein can be
exceptionally effective for the adding of flavor and/or filler particles
to the peripheral (and/or surface) layers without appreciably altering
the mechanical and functional features of the core material. In at least
one embodiment, a three layer construction comprising layers of
0.001''/0.004''/0.001'' thickness can be manufactured in a balanced, cast
co-extrusion using the same or similar resin(s) in the core and both
surface layers. In various embodiments, balanced can refer to the surface
layers being produced in the same thickness, such as a 1-4-1 mil
construct or a 0.5-5-0.5 mil construct. In various embodiments, the
balance can produce good "stay flat" properties as well as good
interfacial stability of the layers.

[0061] In an exemplary extrusion and casting process, multiple melt steams
can be pumped and/or extruded thru a multi-slotted die or extrusion head
and collected or carried onto a rotating, polished, refrigerated cylinder
where they can set or harden for a limited period of time to form a
continuous, multi-layered film. In various embodiments, this film is
continuously collected by a take-up roll which rotates at the same speed
as the hardened film stream leaves the refrigerated cylinder surface. In
various embodiments, the molecular structure of film stream produced
suing this or similar methods possesses good interfacial bonding by "tie
molecules," but also retains a generally or completely un-oriented bond
structure having similar or the same mechanical properties in both
machine direction (i.e., the extrusion direction) as well as across the
web. In various alternative embodiments, the resin melt streams may be
expelled or extruded from multiple extruders and/or extrusion heads,
which would additionally provide an opportunity to particularize and/or
"tailor" the individual material properties of each layer in the
material.

[0062] In various embodiments, the core or central layer is the foundation
or "basis" of the mechanical properties of the flossing strip, although
in alternative embodiments, other layers, including one or more
peripheral layers, could function in a manner similar to or in place of
the core layer. The core layer, to desirably perform the "draw to stop"
function, will possess quantities of un-oriented long main molecular
chains, with relevant short chain branches free of significant
non-elastic inclusions or other features that could cause rupture or
undesirable bond fracture during the "stick-slip" motion of the drawing
process, which results in the orientation and crystallization effects and
the final high tensile strength in the material (i.e., "the Stop").

[0063] Because the peripheral or surface layers of the disclosed
embodiment are relieved of most or all of their mechanical responsibility
for proper functioning of the system, the adjustments that can be made to
their physical properties (and the attendant additives that can be
utilized with various embodiments described herein) are virtually
infinite. This type of multi-layer construction of the system confers
attendant advantages that would be difficult, if not impossible, to
accomplish in a single-layer system. For example, if one desired to
tailor the coefficient of friction (COF) in a single-layer
single-material structure, the homogeneity of the material and the lack
of sizeable inclusions (i.e., "holes") in the material (caused by the
presence of additive particles to increase frictional resistance) would
generally be a significant factor in the material's ability to "draw to
stop." These restrictions in various embodiments could limit the additive
or filler material to nano-sized particles (thereby creating nano-sized
inclusions), and typically a concentration of filler material of no
greater than 4% of the material by weight and/or volume. Assuming
homogeneity in the filler/material distribution, no more than 1.3% of the
filler material would be expected to reside adjacent the surface of the
extrusion. With no additional adjustments or further processing, the
surface of the material would be relatively smooth with a COF of
approximately 0.05. Adding of significant additional filler or larger
particle sizes to the single-layer material may increase the COF to some
degree, but will also typically increase the number and size of
inclusions in the material, which can cause the material to unacceptably
tear, shred or otherwise fracture during the "draw to stop" operation.

[0064] In contrast, the tailoring of the COF in a peripheral or surface
layer can be relatively straightforward. Aside from the increased
resistance to the skin surface of a user's fingers (allowing the user to
easily grasp and "draw to stop" the floss strip), the effectiveness of a
flossing device can be greatly enhanced if its surface has an increased
COF, providing added abrasion to surrounding surfaces and possessing
sufficient "traction" to remove food particles and plaque from the
surface of teeth as well as "break up" bio-film. By adding a
commonly-available filler (i.e., "rocks") to the material, such as
calcium carbonate or sodium bi-carbonate, etc., in concentrations of up
to 20% and particle sizes of one micron (0.03937 mil) or smaller up to 12
microns, a COF of 0.08 to 0.25 can be readily engineered into the surface
layer(s) without significantly affecting and/or degrading the mechanical
properties and functions of the core layer.

[0065] In various preferred embodiments, the same or similar polymers
and/or polymer types (or, if desired, various extrudable materials having
similar structural, chemical, rheological and/or other characteristics)
can be utilized as components of each of the respective layers, which can
grant each layer a greater tendency to adhere and/or "stick together"
when such layers come in contact during and/or after extrusion. In
various embodiments, the central layer can be predominantly comprised of
a single polymer and/or polymer blend, with each of the adjacent
peripheral layers including a similar polymer (and/or constituent polymer
of the polymer blend) to that of the central layer, in combination with
the various additives described herein. Once the individual extruded
layers leave the extruder and come in contact with each other (which can
occur in a variety of locations, including at the exit of the extrusion
die, in the air or other gaseous environment and/or on a surface such as
a "take-up" or heated/refrigerated/ambient temperature roller), the
individual melt streams will desirably tend to adhere or otherwise stick
to each other, desirably creating the resulting multi-layer film.
Desirably, when the central layer elongates and/or thins during the "draw
to pull" action by a user, as described herein, the peripheral layers
will remain substantially adhered to and/or in contact with the central
layer. In various embodiments, even where the peripheral layer(s)
experience significant fracture, tearing and/or other degradation of
their constituent material(s) during the "draw to pull" action, the
influence and/or presence of the central layer will substantially
maintain the integrity and usefulness of the entire multi-layer film
construct.

[0066] In various alternative embodiments, the various multi-layer film
constructs described and utilized herein could be formed using a variety
of methods well known to those of skill in the art, including the
creation of a film or a sheet by simultaneously extruding in molten stage
various polymers in combination with various polymers/additive blends,
with the materials adhering to each other through a common die to form an
integral film having similar properties of the various multi-layer films
described herein.

[0067] In various additional embodiments, other additives such as colors,
flavor concentrates, antibiotics, elements, etc., may be pre-compounded
into the resin and/or resin mix for one or more peripheral layers prior
to the casting extrusion. In various embodiments, a limiting factor for
acceptable additives might be that the additive will desirably be stable
(or will experience limited degradation) at the approximately 230°
C. temperature it will experience within the extruder and/or the
melt-stream (or other temperatures, pressures and/or other conditions
experienced during the desired manufacturing or molding processes). Of
course, if a desired additive can not acceptably tolerate the temperature
threshold for compounding into the polymer via the extruder, it may be
coated on to one or more surfaces of the finished film (either on
portions of the entire film structure or on an individual layer of the
melt stream prior to collection on the refrigerated cylinder) during the
manufacturing process and/or in a secondary operation.

Example I

[0068] In one exemplary embodiment, 2 extruders might be utilized to
produce a three-layer structure, with extruder #I providing the
melt-stream for the core or central layer while extruder #2 provides 2
melt-streams for forming the peripheral or surface layers. In this
configuration, the surface layers will generally have the same properties
and dimensions. In one embodiment for a 1-4-1 mil test material, extruder
#1 ran "virgin" LLDPE for the core layer, while extruder #2 ran the same
resin compounded with a 4% cinno-mint flavor material and a 20% calcium
carbonate filler for the surface or peripheral layers.

Example II

[0069] In another exemplary embodiment, 3 extruders might be used to
produce a three-layer structure, with extruder #1 providing the
melt-stream for the core layer while extruder #2 provides the melt-stream
for the top peripheral or surface layer and extruder #3 provides the melt
stream for the bottom surface layer. In this configuration, the two
surface layers may contain completely different fillers and/or additives,
and may possess different physical properties and/or dimensions (i.e.,
differing thicknesses). In one embodiment for a 1-4-1 mil test material,
extruder #1 ran "virgin" LLDPE for the core layer, while extruder #2 ran
the same LLDPE resin compounded with a 4% cinno-mint flavor material for
a first (or upper) surface or peripheral layer, and extruder #3 ran the
same LLDPE resin compounded with a 20% calcium carbonate filler for a
second (or lower) surface or peripheral layer.

[0070] The various basic extrusion process and cast film manufacturing
lines are well known and understood in the art, and similar processes
have been in use for decades. More recently, computerized controls have
enabled systems to extrude and cast up to 9 layer films, with continuous
film width up to 171 inches wide. In various embodiments, the
construction of multi-layer film suitable for use with the present
invention can be produced on a 60'' to 80'' cast co-extrusion line using
state of the art controls, in-line slitting and continuous rewinds. In
various embodiments, the manufacture of a 0.006 film, such as from
examples I or II (above), running on a modern 72'' line at a slow 200'
per minute extrusion rate can yield approximately 2000 lbs. of extruded
material or approximately 69,500 square feet of multi-layer film per
hour.

[0071] In various embodiments, the processing of flossing device sheets
and the creation of the associated filaments or strips (as well as the
creation of the partially-cut portions therein) can be produced by rotary
die cutting. One exemplary die cut pattern can include a pattern of
twelve 2''× 3/16'' filaments, to be cut in-line with a web
connected to a 1/4''×2'' base cut across the web. The sheet is
desirably kept together by leving the filaments connected to each other
by a 1/64'' uncut area at a top (the end opposite the base) of the 11
internal cuts (between strips) and a 1/32'' uncut area at the bottom of
each filament, connecting it to the base. This pattern can be reproduced
into a rotary cutting die (for example, a 10'' tool having 5 patterns
across its face and 4 patterns around its face, allowing for rotary
cutting as the tool rotates) that can "cookie cut" 20 filament sheets
from a 10'' wide web of the extruded and cooled flossing device film on
every rotation of the die. If desired, the die can cut through the film
sheet against a polished hardened anvil roll to produce a clean steel to
steel cut. With the described tool running at 100' per minute, the device
can deliver finished filament sheets to a device, such as onto a conveyor
or into a magazine, at a rate of 2400 sheets a minute, corresponding to
approximately 28,800 flossing strips per minute.

[0072] In various alternative embodiments, cut flossing device sheets may
be delivered pre-cut on small rolls for further processing (i.e.,
packaging, etc). To achieve such an exemplary configuration, a narrow web
of the extruded and set flossing device film, such as a 6'' wide film,
can be rotary die cut and slit in a tool similar to those already
described, to produce thirty-two rolls of flossing devices that are
0.1875'' wide and cross-cut approximately every 2 inches, leaving two
1/32'' uncut areas at the top and bottom of each filament or strip to
desirably maintain the linear integrity of the roll. The two uncut areas
desirably provide enough material integrity and strength for low tension
rewinding, but at the same time do not have sufficient mass and/or
integrity to appreciably interfere with the end-user's ability to easily
pull a single filament from the roll. In addition to their use in further
processing, in various embodiments the rolls may be individually packaged
in small containers allowing for dispensing and rotation of the roll (as
shown in FIG. 9), or it may be provided as a refillable portion of a
floss dispensing device for home, office or professional (i.e., dental
office) use.

[0073] In creating such a roll form, converting the 6'' web at 100' a
minute can yield approximately 19,200 precut, multi-layered filaments
every minute. A small roll of 12' of 2'' of the precut multi-layered
filaments can deliver 48 flossing devices, which would be equal to 4
flossing device sheets of 12 filaments each.

[0074] In various alternative embodiments, the floss strips may be
provided in individual strip form, and multiple connected or separated
strips can be packaged in a single package, such as shown in FIG. 8.

[0075] In other alternative embodiments, the floss may be packaged in a
roll form (see FIG. 9), without any pre-cut sections or defined strips
along the film length, and a cutting device, such as a sharpened metal
clip or toothed cutting device, can be provided on or associated with the
package to allow a user to dispense and cut a desired length of
unexpanded floss. Such an arrangement allows for a user-defined elongated
length of floss for various uses, including hand flossing, mechanical
flossing using floss-holding implements, automated or machine-assisted
flossing and/or flossing by trained dental personnel. This arrangement
further allows for the user to define their own non-expanded tab lengths
for gripping and/or manipulating the floss, such as where the user wishes
to wrap the tabs around their fingers to tension the floss in a
comfortable manner.

[0076] In various embodiments, the flossing device film may be slit,
die-cut or chopped to any desired dimension, and various embodiments can
be unique in that they can have the same mechanical and physical
properties in their machine direction (i.e., the extrusion direction) at
any location across the web.

[0077] Furthermore, because the flossing material can be made so strong
yet stay relatively soft, the multi-layered flossing devices as described
herein will typically not fray or damage the user's gums.

[0078] In testing with the above-disclosed polymer material, the following
results were obtained experimentally:

[0079] Various embodiments of multi-layered filament strips, used in
various experiments, were produced as described in Example I (above). The
beginning width (W) of the non-elongated strip was approximately 0.1875
inches, and a corresponding "drawn to stop" width (DW) of the elongated
strip was a reduced width of approximately 0.0625 inches. The
cross-sectional area of the non-elongated strip was approximately
0.001125 square inches and the corresponding cross-sectional area of the
corresponding "drawn to stop" strip was approximately 0.000125 square
inches--an approximately 8 to 1 reduction.

[0080] In various of the embodiments described above, the "draw-down" and
associated structural reorientation that takes place reduces the
cross-sectional area of the strip from 0.001125 square inches to 0.000125
square inches, which is an 8 to 1 reduction. One explanation for the
phenomena in which the experiment produces multi-layered flossing devices
possessing only a 6 to 1 draw-down ratio is explained by the presence of
the non-stretched tabs. When a non-oriented multi-layered strip is
grasped or clamped between the thumbs and forefingers (or other testing
device) to be drawn, approximately 30% of the surface area of the strip
is being held under pressure. This clamping pressure and its associated
frictional resistance force, which is essentially equal to or greater
than K (the force need to draw the strip), effectively limits and/or
prevents the lamellas of polymer chains in the clamped/pressed areas from
performing a significant "stick-slide" and/or reorientation function in
the "draw to stop" process described herein. This results in a
multi-layered flossing device having two end tabs that represent
approximately 30% of the beginning length of the strip remaining at or
near the beginning dimensions (i.e., a thickness C of 0.006'' and a width
W of 0.1875''). Between these end tabs (and connected integrally
therewith) is an expanded section of the reoriented multi-layered
flossing media, which at "stop" possesses a thickness G of 0.002 inches
and a drawn width DW of 0.0625 inches. In effect, the central 70% of the
original multi-layered strip is approximately 8 times its original
length, and approximately one-third of its original thickness. When the
drawn, reoriented multi-layered flossing central section and the end tabs
are considered together, they are a net 6 times the length of the
original multi-layered, non-expanded strip.

[0081] In various other exemplary embodiments, the strip may comprise
virtually any unstretched length (and/or maximum/minimum unstretched
length), including lengths of approximately one inch, two inches, three
inches, four inches and/or five inches, with resulting potential
elongated floss lengths of approximately 4 to 6 inches, 8 to 12 inches,
12 to 18 inches, 16 to 24 inches and/or 20 to 30 inches, respectively
(which could include a wide variety of user-defined tab dimensions).

[0082] In addition to the various other properties and features described
herein, various properties of exemplary polymers that contribute to the
success of present invention include a material's ability to be drawn or
stretched by the application of a relatively small tensile force to a
substantial elongation and reduced lateral dimension(s), but when the
material reaches sufficient elongation, the material significantly
resists additional stretching forces exerted upon it, and is further
difficult to break even by the application of a much more significant
and/or larger tensile force. These properties and/or characteristics are
believed to be brought about, at least in part, by various molecular
configurations induced by catalyst(s), reaction conditions and/or monomer
composition.

[0083] In addition, in various embodiments the exemplary materials
employed herein will desirably experience little or no elastic rebound
after being "drawn to stop," as the increased resistance of such
materials to elastic rebound or rubbery behavior can be a desirable trait
during the flossing process.

[0084] In various alternative embodiments, the multi-layered dental
flossing device may be used as a delivery system for medications. For
example, a multi-layer flossing strip may be used to deliver dry zinc
chloride to the gum tissues between the teeth. Zinc Chloride is known to
be an immune system enhancer and antiviral aid, and can significantly
improve wound healing and blood clotting. However, because dry ZnCl2 is
extremely hydroscopic and deliquescent, it is difficult to store and
apply.

[0085] Various embodiments described herein can facilitate the storage and
delivery of a wide variety of dental materials, including those materials
that, for various reasons, cannot be stored in an atmospheric or humid
environment (i.e., they react negatively to oxygen, water or other
atmospheric gases/materials). These "susceptible" materials can be
desirably incorporated into one of more layers of the multi-layer floss
(or between layers, if desired), and the layer material can shield the
susceptible material from contact with the undesirable environmental
factor. When use of the susceptible material is desired, the strip can be
elongated or "drawn to stop," which can expose the material. Desirably,
the elongation of the layer material can effectively "thin" the layer
material, which can expose larger solids to the material surface, as well
as tear, shred, shatter, fragment or open pores in the layer material,
thereby releasing the susceptible material to the surface for
application.

[0086] To incorporate ZnCl2 in the multi-layered filament strips, a three
extruder configuration, such as that described in Example II, can be
used, with the extrusion head changed from a 3 slot to a five-slot die to
produce a 5-layer extruded film.

[0087] In this exemplary embodiment, the surface layers 1 & 5 in the
individual filaments or strips can protect the ZnCl2 in the internal
layers 2 & 4 from unintentional exposure to the atmosphere or humidity.
When the multi-layered filament is drawn to form the flossing device,
layers 1 & 2 and 4 & 5 are desirably reduced in thickness to
approximately 8.4 microns, which can expose the 12 micron inclusions on
the front and back surfaces of the flossing device for application of the
exposed material.

[0088] In a similar manner, multi-layer floss systems may be employed to
contain and/or isolate component ingredients of multi-component
toothpastes and other dental cleaning aids, including materials such as
those used in DioxiBrite from The Dental Health Institute of Walpole,
Mass.; Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste; Advance White Baking Soda and
Peroxide Toothpaste from Arm and Hammer, or a host of other systems. In
various embodiments, the elongation or "draw to stop" action can
"activate," release or combine ingredients, either within or on the
surface of the strip, or such materials can be released into the salivate
for mixture during the flossing motion.

[0089] In one exemplary embodiment, a multi-layer flossing strip can
incorporate an abrasive surface layer with a layer that releases a
whitening agent such as sodium tropolyphosphate to break down or dissolve
stains. The combination of such agent with an abrasive to gently polish
the teeth can be particularly effective, especially where localized
whitening of an individual tooth or tooth portion (i.e., a small stain on
the lower front face of a tooth), etc) is desired.

[0090] It is believed that the behavior of LLDPE (linear low density
polyethylene), in permitting the elongation of flossing strips to several
times their respective lengths but with high resistance to breakage at
their ultimate elongation or "stop" position, is a result, at least in
part, of the polyethylene chains in the material being essentially
linear, except for the presence of intentional branching supplied by
alpha-olefin co-monomers. Thus, the inclusion of monomers, such as
1-butene, 1-hexene, or 1-octene, along with ethylene in the
polymerization under conditions that would normally produce "un-branched"
high-density polyethylene chains, gives an essentially linear molecular
configuration with controlled (or controllable) side chains. These
branches are desirably sufficient in size to increase molecular volume
values of the chains to traditional low density values, but desirably not
sufficiently long to cause significant entanglement or cross-linking of
the main chains, as is common to traditional low density polyethylene.
While the long branch chains of LLDPE can cause resistance to high
elongation without breakage and to alignment of chains (orientation
and/or crystallization), the short branches of LLDPE effectively hold the
chains apart in an unstressed state while allowing the chains to move
easily under stress to a more highly-oriented condition that exhibits a
very high strength.

[0091] As has been noted above, various alternative materials are
commercially available that could accomplish various features of the
present invention. For example, one alternative material for producing
the floss strips could include a polypropylene material such as
polypropylene nos. 3576, 3868 and 7371, produced by the Fina Oil and
Chemical Company (now renamed Atofina Petrochemicals, Inc.) of Houston,
Tex. Such materials have been approved by the Food and Drug
Administration in applications where food contact is expected. These
materials each exhibit a normal density on the order of 0.905 and have
ultimate tensile strengths of 3,400 psi to 5,000 psi, and they also
exhibit a percentile elongation from 270 to 400. Other types of
polypropylene may similarly be used, but in various embodiments such
materials will desirably have a high percentile of elongation--that is,
on the order of 300 or better, as measured by the ASTM method D-882.

[0092] In addition, a linear low density polyethylene such as Dow's
"Attain" may be selected for its mechanical properties and recyclability.

[0093] It should also be understood that, while the various embodiments
disclosed herein describe a floss tape, sheet or strip, the floss could
alternatively be formed in a film strip or filament, a round or other
shaped filament, or a tubular filament, as well as any shape shown or
described in the accompanying drawings or description.

[0094] Minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the
invention without departing from the material spirit thereof.

[0095] Any material known in the art having similar properties to those
described herein can be used for any of the systems and components
described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0096] The foregoing description of embodiments has been provided for the
purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many
modifications and variations will be apparent to the practitioner skilled
in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best
explain the principles of the invention and its practical application,
thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention
and the various embodiments and with various modifications that are
suited to the particular use contemplated.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE AND EQUIVALENTS

[0097] The entire disclosure of each of the publications, patent
documents, and other references referred to herein is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety for all purposes to the same extent as if
each individual source were individually denoted as being incorporated by
reference. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The
foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects
illustrative rather than limiting on the invention described herein.
Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims rather
than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be
embraced therein.

Patent applications in class And container or support for thread supply

Patent applications in all subclasses And container or support for thread supply